Through Citizens UK’s reach into hundreds of schools, colleges, faith and cultural institutions, we have been able to identify thousands of diverse and talented young people.

In collaboration with employers in engineering, creative industries, technology, digital media and health – the sectors most impacted by the UK’s skills shortage – the ‘Good Jobs Campaign’ will match the young people crying out for ‘good jobs’ to the businesses that urgently need their skills.

Our approach includes training in leadership and employability skills to prepare candidates for the workplace, and support from a community mentor.

We offer work experience to help young people decide which sector is for them and Living Wage internships with very real possibilities of progression into full time employment.

SUCCESSES SO FAR

Atkins

Hundreds of thousands of new engineers are needed by 2020.

20 young people have been taken on as Living Wage Interns and 7 have since become junior engineers within Atkins.

Decoded

“London’s tech sector is now worth as much as its financial sector. It is vital that this growing industry reflects the rich diversity of the people of London.

Decoded are thrilled to be supporting the Good Jobs Campaign. Our first ever apprentice, Waffah, now works full-time for us”

ALASDAIR BLACKWELL, Co-director, Decoded

In 2014 we helped build a new tech apprenticeship programme and recruited 65 young people into the digital sector from across East London.

Hackney 100

Hackney is home to some of Britain’s most exciting growth industries and some of London’s highest levels of unemployment.

Hackney 100 was set up with the aim of enabling young people to get their foot in the door with local businesses. In 2015, 100 young people began part-time Living Wage jobs.

Barts NHS Trust

In 5 years time the NHS is not only going to need 20,000 nurses. A massive skills shortage across the health sector means there are many vacancies for critical jobs such as midwifery.

In 2015 Citizens UK and Barts Health Trust began to work together to get young people in east London into careers in the NHS through apprenticeships in skills gap roles.

“Thank you to the ‘Good Jobs Campaign’ and Citizens UK for their hard work and effort. If it was not for this great opportunity, I don’t know where I would be! The training provided me with key skills that I could use day to day and helped secure my first step in the career I have always been passionate about.

There was always someone to motivate me and support me if I had any concerns. I am pleased to be a part of a network of young people who are also on a similar journey.”